Update: New information from Leander ISD spokesperson Matt Mitchell states that paper applications for free and reduced lunches are available at all schools and the Child Nutrition office, as well as online. -- With one in five students considered economically disadvantaged for the 2019-20 school year, Leander ISD has announced its guidelines for its free and reduced-price meals. Part of the National School Lunch Program, Leander ISD’s program includes breakfast and lunch on school days. The following households with a student 19 years or younger are eligible, according to Leander ISD:

• Household income is at or below eligibility levels (see below)
• Household is receiving SNAP assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
• Child is a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant or displaced by a disaster
• Child is enrolled in Head Start or Even Start.

Here are the income eligibility levels based on annual income:

• 1 household member (student lives alone): $16,237 or less for free, $23,107 or less for reduced
• 2 in household: $21,983 or less for free, $31,284 or less for reduced
• 3 in household: $27,729 or less for free, $39,461 or less for reduced
• 4 in household: $33,475 or less for free, $47,638 or less for reduced
• 5 in household: $39,221 or less for free, $55,815 or less for reduced
• 6 in household: $44,987 or less for free, $55,815 or less for reduced
• 7 in household: $50,713 or less for free, $72,169 or less for reduced
• 8 in household: $56,459 or less for free, $80,346 or less for reduced

For each additional family member, add $5,746 for free and $8,177 for reduced. This marks the first year that free and reduced lunch registration packets were not mailed to students’ homes. However, the application process is available online, and Leander ISD spokesperson Matt Mitchell said paper applications have been available at all schools since July 1. “In keeping with our district’s effort to go green, the application has been added to our online registration packet this year so that all families are notified about the program and given the opportunity to apply at the same time they complete the online packet,” Mitchell said in an email. “We will still be sending applications home with all elementary school students the first week of school.” Applications are also available at the Child Nutrition office at 1900 Cougar Country Drive in Cedar Park Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., according to Kim Frank with Leander ISD Child Nutrition. Families that wish to apply online may do so by following this link. For more information about eligibility, contact Carolina Arizpe at 512-570-0670 or [email protected].